Weight Loss Coffee Recipe: 4 Ingredient Fat-Burning “Frappuccino”

July 20, 2023

Ahhh, frappuccinos. A deliciously blended beverage with coffee, milk, ice, and (lots of) mocha syrup. Long story short, what was once one of my favorite indulgences soon drained by bank account (they’re $6 a pop!) and skyrocketed my sugar intake (a grande mocha frappuccino has 51 grams of sugar).

So I decided to ditch Starbucks, buy a few simple ingredients, and make my own homemade frappuccino. Enter: The 4 Ingredient Fat-Burning Frappuccino. Packed with energizing caffeine, youth-boosting collagen protein, and fat-burning MCTs. The best part: it takes all of 3 minutes to make.

Health Benefits of Coffee (Besides Energy)

Coffee does more than boost your energy in the morning, it actually has some pretty unique health benefits.

1. Aids in Weight Loss

Studies have shown that coffee consumption could be associated with decreased body fat (1, 2). 

One study found that people who drank one to two cups of coffee per day were 17% more likely to meet recommended physical activity levels, compared with those who drank less than one cup per day (3).

Speaking of activity, coffee is often used to improve athletic performance and increase energy levels (4). One review of nine studies reported that drinking coffee before exercise improved people’s endurance and decreased their perceived exertion, compared with a control group (5).

Another study in 126 older adults found that drinking coffee was associated with improved physical performance and faster gait speed, even after the researchers adjusted for factors like age, belly fat, and physical activity levels (6).

2. May Lower Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Some research suggests that consuming coffee regularly could be associated with a decreased risk of developing type 2 diabetes over the long term.

In fact, one review of 30 studies found that each cup of coffee people consumed per day was linked to a 6% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes (7).

This is thought to be due to coffee’s ability to preserve the function of the beta cells in your pancreas, which are responsible for producing insulin to regulate blood sugar levels (8).

3. Could Support Brain Health

Research suggests that coffee may help protect against certain neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.

According to a review of 13 studies, people who consumed caffeine regularly had a significantly lower risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. What’s more, caffeine consumption also slowed the progression of Parkinson’s disease over time (9).

Another review of 11 observational studies in more than 29,000 people also found that the more coffee people consumed, the lower their risk of Alzheimer’s disease (10).

Additionally, several studies have demonstrated that moderate coffee consumption could be associated with a lower risk of dementia and cognitive decline (11, 12).

4. Could Help Protect Your Liver

Interestingly, several studies suggest that coffee could support liver health and protect against disease. For instance, a recent study found that coffee consumption was associated with decreased liver stiffness, which is how healthcare professionals assess the formation of scar tissue in the liver (13).

Research has also shown that drinking one cup of coffee per day was tied to a 15% lower risk of death from chronic liver disease (14). Another study found that drinking coffee was linked to lower rates of liver scarring and liver cancer in people with liver disease (15).

5. May Increase Your Longevity

Your morning coffee could help lower your risk of death. 

A 2022 study in The Annals of Internal Medicine has shown that moderate consumption of coffee was associated with a reduced risk of mortality. The research shows that those who drank 1.5 to 3.5 cups of coffee per day had a 30% less lower risk of death from any cause during the study (16).  

An analysis of nearly 220 studies on coffee, published in the BMJ in 2017, found that coffee drinkers may enjoy more overall health benefits than people who don't drink coffee.

The analysis found that during the study period, coffee drinkers were 17% less likely to die early from any cause, 19% less likely to die of heart disease, and 18% less likely to develop cancer than those who don't drink coffee.

Bonus Health Benefit: MCT Powder In Coffee

MCT is shorthand for medium-chain triglycerides, a type of fat. There are short-chain, medium-chain, and long-chain triglycerides. Essentially the shorter the chain, the faster your body is able to break it down for energy. So MCTs are easier for your body to convert to energy than long-chain triglycerides.

MCT powder has been shown to have a whole host of impressive health benefits, including:

  1. Increased energy
  2. Regulated blood sugar
  3. Easier weight loss
  4. Increased metabolic rate
  5. Curbed appetite 
  6. Cleared brain fog
  7. Enhanced brain health

Simply add a scoop to your morning cup of coffee, stir, and sip! (Bonus: MCTs create a natural latte-like foam on top of your coffee as well.)

Homemade Frappuccino vs. Coffee House Frappuccino

Starbucks

Nutritional Profile

310 calories
59 grams of sugar
60 grams of carbs
5 grams of protein
5 grams of fat
125 mg of caffeine*

* Caffeine is an approximate value.

Ingredients: Ice, Milk, Coffee Frappuccino Syrup (Sugar, Water, Natural and Artificial Flavor, Caramel Color, Salt, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Citric Acid), Coffee

And this is just the basic frappuccino, variations like the Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino has 590 calories (that’s more than a McDonald’s Big Mac) and 76 grams of sugar (that’s almost four full-size Snickers candy bars).

For reference, the American Heart Association's (AHA) recommended daily sugar intake is 36 grams for men and 25 grams for women.

Dunkin’ Donuts

Nutritional Profile

550 calories
111 grams of sugar
117 grams of carbs
7 grams of protein
6 grams of fat
393 mg of caffeine*

* Caffeine is an approximate value.

Ingredients: Water, Milk, Liquid Cane Sugar: Pure Cane Sugar, Water, Potassium Sorbate (Preservative), Coffee Swirl Syrup: Water, Sugar, Coffee, Phosphoric Acid, Natural Flavor, Dipotassium Phosphate, Salt, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate, Xanthan Gum 

Needless to say, I’m confident we can make some healthier improvements on these without sacrificing taste. Let’s get into it!

Here’s What You Need

  • Coffee: for a caffeine boost
  • Unsweetened Almond Milk: adds creaminess without the dairy
  • Vanilla Extract: provides sweet vanilla flavor
  • NativePath Coffee Creamer: adds MCT oil and collagen to provide fast fuel for your brain and body, plus it tastes delicious. Choose from the following flavors: french vanilla, hazelnut, mocha, and vanilla chai.
4 Ingredient Fat-Burning “Frappuccino”

4 Ingredient Fat-Burning “Frappuccino”

Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
Rating starRating starRating starRating starRating star
4.1 (16 votes)
Prep Time

Prep Time

5 minutes

Cook Time

Cook Time

5 minutes

Calories

Calories

75

Servings

Servings

1

Ingredients

  • 1 cup strong, cold-brewed coffee
  • ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 scoop NativePath Coffee Creamer
  • ½ cup of ice

Instructions

  1. Combine the ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until silky smooth.

The Bottom Line

Skip the line (and the sugar) at Starbucks and make your very own frappuccino at home. The coffee combined with the MCT powder and collagen makes for a power-packed start to your morning. If you try this recipe, be sure to share it in our Private Facebook Community or tag us on Instagram @nativepath. We can’t wait to see your creations!

Rachael Grosskopf
Recipe by

Rachael Grosskopf

Rachael Grosskopf is the Community Manager at NativePath. She is a Certified Nutrition Coach through Precision Nutrition (pn1) and has a solid understanding of nutrition science and behavior-change coaching.

Read MoreRead More aboutRachael Grosskopf

Medical Disclaimer

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Chad Walding nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement, or lifestyle program.

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